Surgical tool for use in expanding a tubular structure

Abstract

A surgical tool for use in expanding a tubular structure includes a housing. First and second legs movable relative to the housing have first and second ends engageable with an inner surface of the tubular structure. A handle movable relative to the housing moves the first and second ends away from each other to apply a radially outwardly directed force to the inner surface of the tubular structure and cause expansion of the tubular structure. A stop member is connected with the housing. The handle is engageable with the stop member to limit movement of the first and second ends away from each other. The stop member has a first position relative to the housing to limit movement of the first and second ends away from each other a first predetermined distance. The stop member has a second position relative to the housing to limit movement of the first and second ends away from each other a second predetermined distance smaller than the first predetermined distance.

1 . A surgical tool for use in expanding a tubular structure, the tubular structure having an inner surface defining a passage through the tubular structure for receiving surgical instruments, said surgical tool comprising: 
 a housing;    a first leg movable relative to said housing having a first end engageable with the inner surface of the tubular structure;    a second leg movable relative to said housing having a second end engageable with the inner surface of the tubular structure;    a handle movable relative to said housing to move said first and second ends away from each other to apply a radially outwardly directed force to the inner surface of the tubular structure and cause expansion of the tubular structure to increase a cross-sectional area of the passage along a portion of the passage; and    a stop member connected with said housing, said handle being engageable with said stop member to limit movement of said first and second ends away from each other.    
     
     
         2 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said stop member is positionable relative to said housing, said stop member having a first position relative to said housing to limit movement of said first and second ends away from each other a first predetermined distance, said stop member having a second position relative to said housing to limit movement of said first and second ends away from each other a second predetermined distance smaller than the first distance.  
     
     
         3 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said stop member includes first and second portions, said handle being engageable with said first portion when said stop member is in said first position, said handle being engageable with said second portion of said stop member when said stop member is in said second position.  
     
     
         4 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said stop member includes a main body portion and a projection extending radially from said main body portion, said handle being engageable with said main body portion when said stop member is in said first position, said handle being engageable with said projection when said stop member is in said second position.  
     
     
         5 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 2  wherein one of said stop member and said housing includes a guide member extending into a recess in the other one of said stop member and said housing.  
     
     
         6 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said recess includes a plurality of axially extending portions and a connecting portion extending between said axially extending portions.  
     
     
         7 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said stop member is rotatable and axially movable relative to said housing.  
     
     
         8 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 1  including first and second handles movable relative to said housing to move said first and second ends away from each other, said first and second handles being engageable with said stop member to limit movement of said first and second ends away from each other.  
     
     
         9 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said first and second handles are movable toward each other to move said first and second ends away from each other.  
     
     
         10 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 1  further including an axially movable actuator, said handle being movable relative to said housing to axially move said actuator relative to said housing and move said first and second ends away from each other.  
     
     
         11 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 1  further including a depth limiter for limiting the depth that said surgical tool extends into the passage in the tubular structure.  
     
     
         12 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first and second legs are pivotable relative to each other.  
     
     
         13 . A surgical tool for use in expanding a tubular structure, the tubular structure having an inner surface defining a passage through the tubular structure for receiving surgical instruments, said surgical tool comprising: 
 a housing;    a first leg movable relative to said housing having a first end engageable with the inner surface of the tubular structure;    a second leg having a second end engageable with the inner surface of the tubular structure, said first leg being movable relative to said second leg;    a handle movable relative to said housing to move said first end away from said second end to apply a radially outwardly directed force to the inner surface of the tubular structure and cause expansion of the tubular structure to increase a cross-sectional area of the passage along a portion of the passage; and    a stop member connected with said housing, said handle being engageable with said stop member to limit movement of said first end away from said second end, said stop member being positionable relative to said housing, said stop member having a first position relative to said housing to limit movement of the first end away from the second end a first predetermined distance, said stop member having a second position relative to said housing to limit movement of the first end away from the second end a second predetermined distance smaller than the first predetermined distance.    
     
     
         14 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said stop member includes first and second portions, said handle being engageable with said first portion when said stop member is in said first position, said handle being engageable with said second portion of said stop member when said stop member is in said second position.  
     
     
         15 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said stop member includes a main body portion and a projection extending radially from said main body portion, said handle being engageable with said main body portion when said stop member is in said first position, said handle being engageable with said projection when said stop member is in said second position.  
     
     
         16 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 13  wherein one of said stop member and said housing includes a guide member extending into a recess in the other one of said stop member and said housing.  
     
     
         17 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said recess includes a plurality of axially extending portions and a connecting portion extending between said axially extending portions.  
     
     
         18 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said stop member is rotatable and axially movable relative to said housing.  
     
     
         19 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 13  including first and second handles movable relative to said housing to move said first and second ends away from each other, said first and second handles being engageable with said stop member to limit movement of said first end away from said second end.  
     
     
         20 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said first and second handles are movable toward each other to move said first and second ends away from each other.  
     
     
         21 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 13  further including an axially movable actuator, said handle being movable relative to said housing to axially move said actuator relative to said housing and move said first and second ends away from each other.  
     
     
         22 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 13  further including a depth limiter for limiting the depth that said surgical tool extends into the passage in the tubular structure.  
     
     
         23 . A surgical tool as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said first and second legs are pivotable relative to each other.